Escalating Russian air strikes target Kyiv's bridges and infrastructure

Russian forces have intensified a campaign of aerial strikes against critical infrastructure in Kyiv, focusing heavily on the Dnipro River crossings. Between October 2 and October 3, 2026, the Southern and Northern bridges were repeatedly hit by drones and missiles, leading to their closure and significant traffic disruptions in the city of three million people. The attacks have also struck residential buildings in the Darnytskyi district, resulting in at least one death and multiple injuries in Kyiv, while simultaneous Russian strikes in Kharkiv reportedly killed two people. Local authorities, including Mayor Vitali Klitschko, have described the situation as dramatic, noting the impact on logistics and daily life.

Russia's Ministry of Defense justified the strikes as targeting military supply routes, electrical substations, and infrastructure vital to the Ukrainian war effort. In retaliation and as part of its own defense strategy, Ukraine has intensified drone strikes against Russian industrial facilities, particularly oil refineries. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy linked the escalation in Russian tactics to a deliberate strategy to force civilians to abandon major Ukrainian cities. Meanwhile, emergency services continue to operate in affected areas, and both sides have pledged to maintain their respective operational campaigns despite the mounting humanitarian toll.